271. After the Support (5)
The Jegal Supreme Patriarch nodded at my words.
"That's a fine idea. Serving under a hero would naturally teach them the hero's heart, wouldn't it?"
The Jegal Supreme Patriarch turned to the other elders.
"What do you all think?"
"......"
The Wudang Sect Leader looked at me with a faint smile.
"Besides, incidents like this could happen anytime, anywhere in the future. By handling it this way, wouldn't you be setting a good precedent for your clans and sects?"
A good precedent.
At those words, a ripple of unease passed through the other elders.
The Wudang Sect Leader had just issued a veiled threat to the others.
There was no guarantee such a thing wouldn't befall their own disciples or heirs someday.
Establishing this precedent meant opening a path where their kin's dantians wouldn't be crippled in similar cases.
In short, it was pressure to think about the future.
"Y-Yes, quite so."
One by one, they nodded in agreement with the Wudang Sect Leader.
"I agree—it's a good method, letting them learn from a hero's heart."
"Frankly, expulsion did seem a bit excessive. Ahem."
With the consensus reached, the Alliance Leader made the final decision.
"Very well. If that's everyone's view, we'll hand them over to Eun Daehyeop as he wishes. Eun Daehyeop, you may rise now."
"My deepest thanks."
I stood from my seat, and the Alliance Leader ordered two warriors from the Murim Alliance's guardian squad released.
The two warriors, wrists bound to the punishment frames and suspended there, were freed. They staggered slightly.
Had they been hanging so long? They didn't look well at all.
"Will you take them with you right away?"
"Yes, I will."
"Understood."
The Alliance Leader nodded and addressed the two warriors.
"In truth, this council had decided on your expulsion. But Eun Seo-ho Daehyeop here has vouched for you. Reflect deeply on this, strive to embody a hero's heart like his! Understood?"
The two, who had been dazed for a moment, snapped to attention and replied.
"We will keep it in mind."
"We will keep it in mind."
Thus, the two were demoted from direct disciples to outer disciples, forbidden from returning to direct status without the Murim Alliance's approval.
With the proceedings concluded, I took the two warriors back to the inn.
Only then could I properly assess their condition—their backs were soaked in blood.
That explained their poor state.
It wasn't just to prevent escape that they'd been bound to the frames; it was for flogging.
And even after that, they'd planned to expel them?
Ha!
They'd been treated like full-blown Black Path criminals.
I turned to Palgap.
"Get them a room to rest in... and treat their wounds."
"Yes, young master."
I then went straight to see my father and report.
"Hm... So you vouched for these two warriors and brought them back?"
"Yes, Father."
"What's your reason?"
Father looked at me as he spoke.
"It's not just because they seemed pitiful, I imagine."
As expected of Father.
"You're right. My reason for saving them isn't simply their unfortunate plight."
I was furious at the Murim Alliance for pinning all the blame on them, but I hadn't stormed in on mere emotion.
"Their talent was too valuable to waste. They're already first-rate warriors at such a young age, and according to Seo-u Warrior, they could reach peak realm soon. Moreover, they're disciples of prestigious sects like Huashan and Zhongnan. Why hesitate to bring such men under my wing and earn their gratitude?"
Not many reach first-rate even with a lifetime of training.
Thus, a first-rate warrior's value is immense.
My guards' standards were just absurdly high.
Father smiled warmly at me.
"I see. Handle them as you see fit."
"Yes, Father."
"By the way, I never knew my son's realm had risen so high. You saved your mother's and my lives—truly grateful."
"Swinging my sword for my parents is only natural."
"I figured you'd say that. Still, gratitude is gratitude. And thanks to you, I saved face with Gwangjun Merchant Leader and his wife."
"I'm glad they're safe too."
"So, how does it feel to be a hero?"
At Father's question, I smiled and replied.
"Feels pretty damn good."
After finishing with Father, I returned to my room, where Palgap entered.
"Young master, I got an extra room as you asked, so the two warriors can stay."
"Good work. How are their wounds?"
Palgap frowned at my question.
"Worse than expected. So I called in Physician Kang."
"That bad?"
"Hard to look at. And yet they didn't complain once—true prestigious sect material."
"......"
Was it really because they were from a prestigious sect?
Or did they know no one would view complaints favorably?
A moment later, I headed to their room.
"May I come in?"
"P-Please, enter!"
As I opened the door, the sharp tang of blood and bitter herbal medicine assaulted my senses.
I sat before them.
"Nothing to say to me?"
One of them spoke first—the Huashan warrior.
"First, thank you for preventing harm to others because of us."
The Zhongnan warrior continued.
"And for keeping us from expulsion. But..."
He glanced at me cautiously.
"Why did you help us?"
The Huashan warrior nodded too.
"Even kneeling to do it. We're not worth that."
I smiled faintly.
"So, your names?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm Eun Seo-ho, third sub-leader of Eunhae Merchant Group and lord of Hyeonpung Province. I'm twenty this year, turning twenty-one this November."
I continued.
"That's my intro. Now, I'd like to hear yours, warriors."
Realizing their blunder, they introduced themselves in turn.
The Huashan warrior spoke first.
"Call me Myeongjong. Twenty-four years old."
"I'm also twenty-four. Call me Changun."
"Myeongjong Warrior and Changun Warrior, then."
I went on.
"You're probably wondering why I saved you and what your future holds."
They nodded.
"I saved you because... you're innocent."
My unexpected words widened their eyes.
"Innocent? No, we nearly killed countless people."
"The outcome was that, yes. But think: were you the only ones using sword qi during the spar?"
"......"
Of course not.
"Yet no other sword qi escaped outward. That's because the arena had formations."
They showed no surprise—meaning they knew this too.
"But yours alone flew out. And it wasn't even that ferocious."
"......"
"In short, it was the Murim Alliance's negligence. Yet they blamed you entirely. Fair?"
They bit their lips at my question.
They were realizing it now. Or perhaps they'd known all along.
That the massive Murim Alliance had scapegoated them to save face, branding them grave offenders.
"That's why I vouched for you. I couldn't stand seeing the innocent expelled unjustly. Does that answer it?"
They nodded.
I'd said this to stoke their resentment toward the Murim Alliance.
The deeper the grudge, the stronger their loyalty to me.
That way, no betrayal.
"From now on, you'll join my guard squad."
"Your personal guard?"
"Yes. I have four now; with you two, it'll be six."
I continued.
"You'll receive monthly stipends. For the first three months as probation, it'll be eighty percent; full after."
Hearing the amount, they were stunned.
"R-Really that much?"
"Yes. Too little?"
They shook their heads.
"N-No!"
"We never dreamed of pay..."
"Work deserves pay. One of my iron rules: no labor without compensation."
Especially employing first-rate warriors.
Of course pay accordingly.
And it would deepen their loyalty.
"Details from Palgap and I-pil Warrior."
I introduced them to Seo-u Warrior, Yeo Eung-am Warrior, and I-pil Warrior.
Jin Yu Warrior later, after returning to Hubei, just in case.
With that, I left their room.
Then an inn errand boy approached with a letter.
"A kid asked me to deliver this to you, sir."
"......?"
A sudden letter?
Ah, Chunil.
Unfolding it confirmed my guess.
I'll meet you tonight at the place we met last time.
Evening came.
I took only Seo-u Warrior to Yumi Noodle Shop. While waiting, an errand boy approached.
"Found out."
Chunil got straight to it.
"Where?"
"Baekcheon Merchant Group."
"......Pardon?"
"They were hoarding fish bone powder, lime powder, and such."
I'd figured a sizable outfit was behind it.
But Baekcheon Merchant Group...
That meant they'd profited from this in my previous life too.
Hoarding essentials like fish bone powder and lime for hemostasis...
Classic Baekcheon.
"Thanks for the info."
"No problem."
Chunil slipped away. Already? No dumplings this time.
I'd prepared payment too.
Anyway, Baekcheon...
Time to disrupt them.
As I pondered how while walking, a voice called.
"Eun Seo-ho Daehyeop."
"......?"
Turning, I saw an old man in a dim alley.
Familiar face—the Huashan Sect Leader from earlier.
"Greetings, Sect Leader. What brings you here?"
"Take this."
He handed me something.
A small paulownia box, smelling of herbs.
"Isn't this golden wound salve?"
"Correct. With our sect's secret formula."
"But why give it to me?"
"Worried about Myeongjong's wounds. He took quite a beating."
"......"
"Thanks for stepping up for him. Without you, I'd have had to cripple his dantian myself."
The Huashan Sect Leader's voice lacked strength.
I looked at him.
In my previous life, Myeongjong and Changun were said to have broken their swords.
But expulsion was more likely.
Why the sword-breaking story?
Now I understood.
To preserve their honor.
The Sect Leader knew the incident wasn't their fault.
But pressured by other Murim Alliance elders, he'd had no choice.
At least he'd kept their expulsion secret to protect their reputations.
Probably conceded something to the Alliance in return.
Tough spot for the Sect Leader.
Huashan was a powerhouse, yet he'd seemed off earlier.
Something didn't sit right.
Would the Zhongnan Sect Leader come seeking me too?